What is the plot of Hush by Jacqueline Woodson?

tells the story of an
African-American family that is placed in the witness protection program. It is narrated by
Evie, a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her parents and older sister. As the novel opens,
the family is dealing with accepting their new lives and identities.

As Evie
narrates, we learn through flashbacks that her original name was Toswiah. She used to have a
good life in Denver, Colorado, where her father was a police officer in the mostly white city.
Toswiahs father witnessed two white cops gun down an African teenager who was unarmed. He was
pressured into lying about what happened, but he ultimately decided to testify against the cops.
This act put his family into the witness protection program.

Toswiah, who is
now known as Evie, and her family leave behind their identity and everything they know as they
move to an unknown town in the Northeast. Evie turns to running to help her cope, while her
mother turns to religion. Her older sister focuses heavily on her schoolwork and is accepted
into college early. Evies father spends his days staring out the window in a depressed
state.

Theof the story occurs when Evies father unsuccessfully attempts
suicide. He is taken to a mental health facility, where he is able to start acting like himself
again. This restores faith in Evie that their family will be okay and able to move
forward.